Sleep Quantity Requirements
Updated: Aug 30, 2022
We all want the best for our children and one common focus in ensuring that our children have the most amount of sleep that they need for their age.
There is a variation in how much sleep each child needs however, it is known that there is an average amount of sleep required for relevant ages.
Ensuring that your child has adequate sleep quantity to encourage optimal health and development is a high goal and common purpose for most parents.
But how much sleep does your child really need? To make it easy for you, I have provided you with an age-by-age guide right up until 5 years of age!
Birth to 3 weeks – 6-9 hours day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 16-18 hours total
3 weeks to 6 weeks – 6-7 hours day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 16-17 hours total
6 weeks to 9 weeks – 5-6 hours day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 15-16.5 hours total
9 week to 12 weeks – 4.5-5 hours day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 14.5-15.6 hours total
12 weeks to 16 weeks – 4-4.5 hours day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 14-16.5 hours total
4 months - 3.5-4 hours total day sleep | 9-12 hours night sleep | 14-16 hours total
5 months - 3-3.5 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep | 14-15.5 hours total
6-7 months - 2.5-3.5 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep | 13.5-15.5 hours total
8-12 months - 2.5-3 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep | 13.5-15 hours total
12-14/18 months - 2-3 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep | 13-15 hours total
14/18 months - 2-2.5 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep | 13- 14.5 hours total
2.5-5 years – 0-2 hours total day sleep | 11-12 hours night sleep - 11-14 hours total
I hope this helps you plan to provide your child with the sleep quantity your child needs for their biological age. However, I want you to remember though that just because your child achieves the adequate levels of sleep quantity, it doesn't automatically mean they are "good sleepers". Quality of sleep is also as important as sleep quantity, so if your child is sleeping their recommended amount but are still waking tired, then we need to explore their quality of sleep. And this is something that I can help with.
Of course, if you do need any assistance or guidance with establishing adequate sleep, then please book in for a 15 minute free discovery call.
Forever bringing sleep to families,
Shereen xx
My name is Shereen Nielsen and I am a certified infant and child sleep consult, working with children aged birth to 12 years. I am also a lecturer and mentor for students on their journey towards becoming a Sleep Consultant, through my on-line internationally recognised sleep consultants course.
Phone: +61419820474
Email: hello@shereennielsen.com
Website: www.shereennielsen.com
Facebook: @shereennielsen.sleepconsultant
Instagram: @shereennielsen_sleepconsultant